State ex rel. Stockman v. Superior Court

Per Curiam. The relator was sued in the superior court of Spokane county, but was a resident of Adams county and was served there. He appeared and filed a demurrer and also an affidavit of merits, which contained a demand that the case be tried in Adams county, but no ruling was had thereon at the time. A few days later the court denied the application for a transfer; whereupon the relator applied for this writ and the court was ordered to transfer the cause to [367] Adams county or show cause why the same should not be done, and other proceedings were stayed therein meanwhile. Respondent has returned that the application for a change of venue was refused because the defendant had waived his right to a transfer; but it appears that what the court construed to be a waiver was the failure of the defendant to appear at the time the ruling was had. It was not necessary for the defendant to he present at that time. Nor does it appear that he had any notice of the time when the matter would he called up. The statute (Code Proc. § 162) is explicit. It provides for the filing of an affidavit of merits and a demand .for a change of venue when the defendant appears and pleads. This was complied with and the court had only one duty to perform; that was to grant the change. It is directed that the peremptory writ issue.